The Progress of Man from Advanced Commentary to Sophomoric Opinion

November 01, 2016

When I think about DLI (Defense Language Institute, the US Army's language school), it's hard to believe that was over 20 years ago. I have almost no concept of what that means. Some people have lived their whole lives in that time. I was at DLI when the Murrah Building was bombed in Oklahoma City. I was at DLI when Kurt Cobain died, and I'd just left DLI when OJ was acquitted of murdering his wife.

Let me take a moment to turn you on to the BEST THING about spending a year and a half at Monterey, studying at DLI: The Paprika Cafe. Seriously, I'd make the trip right now if I could.

When I was there, it was called Tabouli's. You can find it on Lighthouse Avenue on your way to Pacific Grove. Go in and see Khristoff and indulge yourself in genuine Lebanese hummos and shawarma Bakr with Turkish coffee and a Lebanese mango juice. We used to go every Thursday.

March 06, 2007

This is the tea room inside the Chung Mei Temple in Stafford. I've had everything offered, and I'd be hard-pressed to pick a favorite. Although, I'd have to say, having seen the places in Taiwan where the tea is grown and processed by hand, I might call the Kao Shan tea my favorite.